Hi have had lupus for many years, now on I am on mycophenalate mofetil, hydrox, statins and warfarin, paracetomal also been on previously methotrexate and azathroprene? have had a bad chest infection for 6 weeks and 2x antibiotics and still had cough, GP sent me for x ray but lungs clear so now being referred to chest clinic?The problem is though that my neutrophils have fallen to 0.6 so have had to stop mycophenalate for a week then another blood test has anyone had similar in low neutrophils ? Maybe spelling not correct....

6 Replies

I'm not an expert, but as far as I understand it, a neutrophil is a white blood cell. White blood cells protect the body against infection and any form of cytotoxic therapy can kill off too many and make them low. This includes Mycophenolate. You will need to take some time off to let your body start making them again. this is why they do blood tests monthly for mycophenolate and similar drugs.

It's a 'side-effect' - but not a nice one, that you can't get over your chest infection.

I have similar problems with Methotrexate and have to come off it to allow my white blood cell count to go back to normal before I can restart the drug. It doesn't help the overall situation (pain wise) to have to do this but it only lasts for about a fortnight.

Just also read that Lupus itself can cause low neutrophils, which I didn't know. I don't know how this helps, but it's interesting.

4 years agoHidden

I ended up with a low white cell count (neutropenic) 0.7 and in hospital after a bad infection and had to undergo many tests including a bone marrow biopsy. The results showed that the Azathioprine was the cause and I am now started on Mycophenalate so it's fingers crossed that this works for me. The good news is my white cell count has now risen to 4.8.